As well as providing quarterly cash flow, the vehicle also provides capital growth and profit participation

The City of Edmonton is looking at getting into the development business, at least where it concerns city-owned land, according to a new report.

The report also said the city-owned firm would likely work to rezone the five undisclosed properties and then sell them, or might bring in private partners to push development along.

“By virtue of being independent, the (company) would also have the flexibility to direct decisions toward maximizing return, rather than being tied in to politically driven directions for development,” stated the report.

The goal of the chief executive and two or three employees would be to make money and help build Edmonton the way the city wants, says the report, based on recommendations from a panel of real-estate experts.

“This is a very creative initiative to help accelerate the pace redevelopment and help ensure vibrant urban community comes together,” James Knull, an Edmonton-area real estate agent specializing in investment properties, told CREW.

“This sort of strategy will help ensure that these projects fit with a vision that’s best for Edmontonians.”

Not everyone is on board with idea.

The report stated that private developers and builders expressed a “strongly held view” the company would directly compete with them while keeping tax and other advantages.

Coun. Michael Oshry, who initiated the idea, told the Edmonton Journal many of these people don’t understand how the new company would operate.

“It will kick-start development in some parts of the city that have been tough to get going … I’m not afraid of the perspective of the development industry. Once they see what it’s about, I think their view will change.”

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COMMENTS

by SQ2015-10-01 3:07:15 PM

Interesting this approach is being considered. It would be good to know if the report also looked at the work already being done by the real estate and development arm of The City of Edmonton in making this recommendation and how what is being proposed differs from they already do. I believe Edmonton has a self-funded (For Profit) real estate development group within the City structure and there job is to develop and sell the surplus City owned land. Does there need to be a separate company created to accomplish the desired outcomes or just a change of thinking and approach with their Administration and Council?

by http://www.robertmay.ca2015-10-11 2:15:10 PM

I agree they should, every city should. If they had trained and qualified staff in the real estate departments they would do a much better job handling matters involving real estate, that is a fact.

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